Drive for 25: Terps Travel to ACC Championships

Maryland Athletics

3-5-2014

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland wrestling team travels to Blacksburg, Va., for the ACC Wrestling Championships on Saturday March 8., at Cassell Coliseum. Action gets underway at 10 a.m. with the finals at 7:30 p.m.

The Terps are seeking a record 25th ACC title in their final trip to the Championships. The title would be Maryland’s third in the last four years. Jimmy Sheptock, Christian Boley and Spencer Myers can all become three-time ACC champions on Saturday.

"We're excited to compete in our final ACC Championships," head coach Kerry McCoy said. "It's bittersweet because it's our last time, but our guys are excited and ready to go win a championship."

The Schedule

9:00 a.m........................ Doors Open

10:00 a.m.................... First Round & Quarterfinal Consolations

1:30 p.m........................... Semifinals

3:45 p.m........ Semifinal Consolations

5:30 p.m............... Consolation Finals

7:30 p.m................................. Finals

Ticket Sales

Tickets may be purchased in advance through the Virginia Tech ticket office at the link located below. Advanced tickets may be purchased for $5 each online. Tickets at the Door on the day of the Championship are priced at $10 each. ACC students with a valid ACC college ID will be admitted free, only on the day of the event.

For up to the minute news on Maryland wrestling, follow the Terps on Twitter or like Maryland wrestling on Facebook. To join the conversation on Terps wrestling, make sure to include #Drivefor25 or #ACCWrestle.

Of the wrestlers competing on Saturday, 34 will nab automatic bids to the NCAA Championships. The NCAA allocated the following bids per weight class: three at 125, two at 133, five at 141, four at 149, two at 157, two at 165, three at 174, four at 184, five at 197, and four at 285.

ACC Legacy

This Saturday's ACC Championships will be Maryland's last in the ACC. The Terps have won a record 24 ACC wrestling titles.

"I think it has been a very mutually beneficial relationship,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “In 60 years in the conference we’ve contributed some of the best wrestlers to come through the conference, both on and off the mat.”

The Terps boast 199 individual ACC champions. Brandon York is the only Terp to win four ACC individual titles, taking three at 133 pounds and one at 141 pound between 1999-2002. The Terps have three ACC champions currently on the roster in Sheptock (2012, 2013), Boley (2012, 2013) and Myers (2011, 2012).

Three Terps have won ACC Wrestler of the Year, James Guzzio (1997), Hudson Taylor (2008, 2010) and current administrative assistant Josh Asper (2011). McCoy has won three ACC Coach of the Year awards (2009, 2011, 2012) while John McHugh has two (1990, 1993) and Pat Santoro has one (2008).

“There was a time where our program was the dominant program and it made the other programs raise their level,” McCoy said. “Once they caught up to us, we had to reestablish our commitment to the sport and we got back on top. It’s a huge thing to be able to say we have the most team and individual championships”

In January, he became the first wrestler in school history to be ranked No 1 in the country.

Hall of Fame Credentials

Maryland head coach Kerry McCoy was named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's class of 2014, as announced by the organization.

McCoy finished his college career at Penn State University with an overall record of 115-18. A three-time All-American, he won the NCAA Heavyweight Title in 1994 and 1997

Following his college career, McCoy starred for his United States, earning a sliver medal at the 2003 World Championships and winning five straight U.S Open Freestyle Championships from 2000-2004. McCoy twice represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games, finishing fifth in 2000 and seventh in 2004.

McCoy was named Maryland head coach in 2008 and has accumulated a 77-25-1 record over five years. A three-time ACC Coach of the Year, McCoy has won three ACC titles and coached seven All-Americans since he arrived in College Park.

“I’m truly honored and humbled by this,” McCoy said. “I’ve seen so many greats get into the hall and knowing my name will be listed with them is unbelievable. I’m so happy.”